Blog

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Panel

By Martins Odey

Abuja, Nov.4, 2016 (NAN) The new Special Court of Appeal Penal Panel constituted to resolve all appeals in the Ondo State PDP governorship candidate for the Nov.26 election has once again been asked to step aside.

Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, leading the three member panel had on Friday in Abuja opened hearing in the multiple appeals.

The new special panel had succeeded the Justice Jummai Sankey’s panel which disqualified itself on Nov.2 following accusation of fraud against the members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Sen. Ben Obi,  Biyi Poroyo, Eyitayo Jegede, and Jimoh Ibrahim are parties in the matter.

The Executive of PDP South West Zone, Ondo State Executive members of the party are also interested parties.

NAN reports that the PDP at the moment is factionalised with both Sheriff an Makarfi led factions claiming sole power to make decision for the party at the National level.

The panel, among other things is, therefore, to determine the legitimate faction empowered to conduct governorship primaries of the party.

At resume hearing, the Panel had sought for the identification and harmonisation of all the processes before it was suddenly approached with another “shocking’’ prayer.

The court was again, asked to reverse the decision by its President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to constitute a fresh panel to hear appeals relating to the dispute.

In a motion filed by Mr Godswill Mrakpo, counsel to the Sheriff-led faction asked the court to disband the panel forthwith.

The two other justices that make up the panel are Igwe Aguba, and George Mbaba.

Mrakpo alleged that the Panel was set up in breach of the applicant’ right to fair hearing guaranteed under Section 36 of the Constitution.

According to appellant, the court lacks jurisdiction to constitute the panel to hear the matter expeditiously.

He equally prayed the court to order the return of the case files relating to all the appeals to the Registry of the court.

He further averred that time must be set aside for the hearing of the appellant’s petition brought against the President of the court by the National Judicial Council.

However, Chief Wole Olanikpekun (SAN), counsel to Jegede, had prayed the leave of court to appeal the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that ceded the Certificate of Returns to Jimoh Ibrahim.

Olanipekun, urged the court to grant expeditious hearing to the application because the matter required urgent attention.

The Chairman of the Panel adjourned the matter till Nov. 7 (NAN)

OMO/ACO/OFN

Edited by Oluleye Abiodun//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-78

Jobs
Abuja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Presidency has announced that the selection process for the first batch of 200,000 Nigerians to be engaged in the N-Power process has been completed.

Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, said in a release that the applicants’ official engagement was awaiting the completion of Bank Verification Number (BVN) clearance.

According to him the verification is to ensure that the beneficiaries are paid directly; adding that no fewer than 500,000 Nigerians would be engaged in the job-creation scheme.

He said the first selection was done by Presidency officials in collaboration with Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and other government agencies.

He added that foreign consultants were neither used nor needed.

Akande said that three criteria were used for the selection of the 200,000.

He said 40 per cent was selected based on the number of applications per state; a special mark-up was made for the six states of the Northeast; and a discretionary addition for states with low numbers of applicants.

He said the Buhari Social Investment scheme differed from the defunct SURE-P in many ways including the elimination of errors identified in SURE-P.

According to him, the Presidency conceived the Social Investments Programmes as a means to effectively and efficiently touch the lives of Nigerians, especially the unemployed and the poorest.

Said he: “we have designed a full-proof process that will ensure that the goods are delivered.

“There would not be any middle-men and the payments to be made to the N-Power candidates, the monthly N5,000 to the poorest and most vulnerable among others would be paid directly to them.”

The Vice Presidential Spokesman noted the high level of enthusiasm shown in the social investment programme from every state of the federation.

He added that the use of online method of application was to also avoid the awkward method of recruitment in the past that had resulted in deaths and injury to many applicants.

Akande, however, added that only the job application segment of the social investment scheme was subjected to online application while the remaining aspects were not treated as such.

“There are no online applications required for those set of Nigerians for whom the monthly N5,000 Conditional Cash Transfer of the Buhari Social Investment programmes are designed for,’’ he said.

He urged Nigerians to disregard social media reports on alleged mismanagement of the N500 billion Social Intervention Funds.

According to Akande, the Presidency understands the need for an ongoing public discussion of this unprecedented budgetary allocation in favour of the Nigerian people especially the poorest and the most vulnerable.

He, however, noted that it was “not correct to claim any form of mismanagement or marginalisation whatsoever’’.

He added that “there has not been any disbursement from the allocated fund not to talk of any kind of mismanagement at all.

“While it is true that funds are being released for the social investment programmes, it is rather preposterous for now to say there is no evidence where the funds have gone to.

“As an administration noted for its transparency, we intend to fully keep Nigerians posted of all financial expenditure in line with extant laws of the country.”

The Spokesperson explained that “of the series of social investment programmes we have outlined, only the job creation scheme-N-Power requires an online registration from unemployed graduates and non-graduate youths.”

He noted that the Conditional Cash Transfer which would pay N5000 monthly to the most vulnerable and the poorest Nigerians, a total of one million in the first year, “no online registration of any kind is required”.(NAN)
DCU/AK/IEA
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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-H-77

Judges

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has said the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) directing judges under investigation to step aside  portends great danger to the nation’s democracy.

Wike made the assertion when the executive members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Port Harcourt branch paid him a courtesy visit on Friday.

According to him, the u-turn by the NJC will encourage politicians to write petitions against any judge whose judgment is likely to go against such politician.

“This move to ask judges to step aside is in favour of politicians because no judge will and deliver judgment against government or a ruling party.

“The implication is that politicians can now write as many petitions alleging that they saw a judge taking brown envelope – which will warrant the judge to be asked to step aside.

“For us, politicians, we are happy with this development because if I notice that I will lose a case, then I will tell my lawyer to write a petition which will result to the judge stepping aside.

“So, in other not to be alleged to have done anything wrong, judges will not give judgment against government or the ruling party.

“This is because, if judge deliver judgment against government or the ruling party, then agencies of government will come after them,” he said.

Wike said the development portend grave danger to the judiciary arm of government and to the common man.

He said the move was a clear manipulation and attempt to silence the opposition, especially as the nation was heading toward 2019 general elections.

The governor said that example to the manipulations was INEC’s quick reaction to announce federal and state legislative rerun elections shortly after the National Assembly ordered the umpire to do so.

“Simply because the Senate said it must conduct election within five weeks; the next day, INEC came up with a time table for the election.

“This is the same INEC that cited insecurity as reason why it could not conduct elections in Rivers, and now within one day after Senate’s position, the same INEC released a time table.

“The question is when did INEC meet security agencies to now take a position that there is no longer security problem in Rivers state, hence the decision to conduct the rerun elections.

“All these boil down to manipulations which not only endanger our democracy but threatens us as a people,” he said.

Wike said that lawyers and judicial workers in the state had a penchant for not paying their taxes which had affected government revenue portfolio.

He said that lawyers ought to lead by example in payment of their taxes to enable government to carry out its developmental functions.

Earlier, Mr Omubo Briggs, the Chairman of NBA branch in Port Harcourt, commended Wike for the completion of the ultra-modern office complex donated to the body by the state government.

He said the association would continue to support government programmes toward development of the state.

Briggs urged the state government to improve the state of Port Harcourt prisons in spite of it being a Federal Government-owned establishment. (NAN)

DES/ACO/OFN

Edited by Oluleye Abiodun//Felix Nwadioha

Buhari lauds Environmental Society for ensuring safe environment
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Society
Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) on its activities in ensuring a safe environment in Nigeria.

Buhari made the commendation in his opening speech at the 25th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigerian Environmental Society on Friday in Abuja.

He was represented by the Minister of Environment, Hajiya Amina Mohammed.

“I congratulate the President and members of the NES for tenaciously ensuring that the issues of the environment remain on the front burner of government policies.

“I think that the theme of this conference, “Sustainability Development and Stakeholders Participation in Green Economy” could not have come at a better time.

“Because in September I signed the Paris agreement during the 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Green Economy which was reached at the conference of the parties held in December 2015 in Paris,”  Buhari said.

The President noted that the signing of the agreement was a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

He said government was seeking effective ways to lead the nation out of its present economic and meteorological problems and that at this point, the role of stakeholders in the Green Economy can not be over emphasised.

“This administration is highly committed to addressing the issues concerning our environment which are being driven by the Federal Ministry of Environment which is also one of the key points of the change agenda of this administration.

“Stakeholders such as NGO’s, and the media can provide much needed independent assessments and messages on the much needed development path that we must follow.

“They can also create awareness on the involvement that helps in the dissemination of the best practice that brings together a greater and more trustworthy knowledge that we must share.”

He, however, said that Nigeria cannot transit to a great economy without the active participation of the private sector.

“That is the key driver of the diversification of our economy and the ultimate goal of the Green Economy in Nigeria is to achieve improved human well being and social equity,” he said.

Earlier, the President of NES, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye said that the choice of the theme was in consonance with the green economy postulated by the UN environmental programme.

“This simply dictates that in the course of development we must ensure the well being of the individuals and the surrounding environment.

“And the NES is here to foster and promote the profession of Environmental science and Engineering in theory and practice.

“NES promotes public understanding and encourages a sound national policy in matters relating to environmental quality control,” he said.

Highlights of the events included a Gbagi cultural dance display and investiture of awardees.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some the awardees included Gov. Okey Ikpeazu of Abia State, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, amongst others. (NAN)
EPA/ACO/AFA
Edited by Oluleye Abiodun/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-75

Image

Deborah Coker

Benin, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Gov Adams Oshiomhole of Edo says government appreciates the renewed determination of the armed forces in restoring the image of the country with respect to tackling insurgency.
He made the remark while inaugurating a block of 12 flats of two bedrooms built by the Nigerian Air Force for some of its senior officers in Benin on Friday.
Oshiomhole said that the least government could do for officers saddled with protecting and defending the territorial borders and integrity of the nation was to demonstrate care.
He stressed that the sacrifice and renewed efforts confirmed that the armed forces had played decisive roles in helping to maintain world peace.
He noted that the armed forces had been able to send a clear message that insurgency could not be part of the nation’s national life.

He commended the role of the 81 Air Maritime Group in Benin during the last governorship election, adding that the group had been active since his assumption of office eight years ago.
He stressed that the Air Force had been very active in securing the state and commended the CAF’s initiative and emphasis on officers’ welfare.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar said professionalism was not just training airmen to fly the air force planes, but also ensuring that the officers have enabling environment to operate.
Abubakar explained that low morale could be very devastating if the welfare and accommodation of the officers were not made priority.
He noted that the 81 Air Maritime Group was very important in the war in the North East, adding that the initiative was to ensure that while officers were in the field; their families were sleeping well in their accommodation.
He stressed that since he assumed office as the CAF, he had made officers and personnel welfare an area of special focus.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that earlier the CAF had paid a courtesy visit to Gov Oshiomhole in Government House where he said that he was in Benin for operational purposes. He said the visit would enable him know the challenges in the unit with a view to addressing them and ensuring that the group was very fruitful.
NAN also reports that the Commander of the 81 Air Maritime Group, Group Capt. E. Effiong was also present during the courtesy visit. (NAN) DCO/ASS/IEA

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Idahosa Asowata

NiMet predicts hazy, cloudy weather for Saturday

NAN-H-35
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted hazy weather conditions over the central states of Minna, Abuja, Bida, Bauchi, Jos, Lafia, Jalingo, Ibi and Yola on Saturday morning.

NiMet made the prediction in the Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office on Friday in Abuja.

The forecast stated that partly cloudy conditions would prevail over Makurdi, Lokoja and Ilorin with maximum temperatures of 28 to 36 degrees Celsius.

The agency also predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy conditions, thundering activities over Lagos, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ekiti, Enugu, Benin, Warri, Awka, Umuahia, Asaba and Abakaliki in the evening.

It also predicted that thunderstorms were anticipated over Owerri, Ogoja, Ikom, Calabar, Yenagoa, Uyo, Eket and Port Harcourt with maximum temperatures of 32 to 34 degrees Celsius.

According to NiMet, northern states will experience dust haze conditions with further deterioration of horizontal visibilities of less than 1200m over Sokoto, Yelwa, Gusau, Zaria, Kano and Katsina.

“Maiduguri, Potiskum, Nguru, Damaturu and Yola should have better visibilities of between one to three kilometres with maximum temperatures of 34 to 39 degrees Celsius.

“Dust haze is expected to dominate the Northern cities of the country with reduced horizontal visibilities and this condition should persist in the next hours with increased dryness over the country,’’ NiMet further declared. (NAN)
OYS/DO/MST

Edited by David Onilede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Gov. Ahmed dissolves 16 LG councils

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Dissolution

By AbdulFatai Beki

Ilorin, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara on Friday approved the dissolution of the management of the 16 local government councils in the state.

The dissolution was announced by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji lsiaka Gold, in a statement issued in Ilorin.

Gold explained that the tenure of the affected councillors expires this November.

The dissolved councils are Asa, Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Irepodun, Isin, Kaiama, Moro, Offa, Oke-Ero, Oyun and Pategi.

He said that the dissolution of the councils was in conformity with the Kwara State Legal Notices No.4-19.

The scribe added that it is in exercise of the governor’s power conferred on the Governor by Section 18(5) (c) of the Kwara State Local Government Law (as amended), Cap K33, Laws of Kwara State.

He added that the dissolution took effect from Friday, Nov. 4.

The government directed all the affected public office holders, including the Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councillors, Secretaries to the Local Government Councils and Supervisors, to immediately vacate their offices.

They were also directed to handover to their respective Directors of Personnel Management (DPMs).

The SSG said the governor appreciated the contributions and support of the affected officers towards the development of the state and wishes them success in their future endeavours. (NAN)

BEKI/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Alcoholism: NYSC, Guiness to raise public awareness

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Drinking
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guiness Nigeria Plc to create awareness on responsible drinking of alcohol.

The Director-General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Sule Kazaure, said on Friday in Abuja that the project, titled “Drink IQ”, was targeted at youths.

He said the society had been negatively affected by the effects of irresponsible drinking of alcohol by both men and women.

Represented by Mrs Rhoda Kwaki, Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects (CDS&SP), Kazaure said the partnership was part of the programme designed by Guiness aimed at reshaping the society.

The director-general said the Drink IQ campaign was a give back to the society initiated by Guiness to be implemented by NYSC to impart positively on the corps members, staff and the society.

According to him, men and women, who drank to stupor have lost their lives to accidents, destroyed their homes, lost their jobs as well as developed major killer diseases like liver cirrhosis.

“The NYSC Scheme in the past 43 years has not relented on its effort in ensuring that its mandate is vigorously pursued thereby making meaningful impact on the lives of their host communities.

“It is noteworthy to mention that through partnering with national and international organisations, non-governmental organisations and faith based organisations, the scheme has facilitated the realisation of set goals and objectives of its partners.

“It is against this backdrop that the goal of this partnership is on, Drink IQ (meaning responsible drinking).

“What we have sown today will blossom into an enduring and sustainable entity for the benefit of our communities and environs,’’ he said.

However, Kazaure commended the initiative and expressed optimism that the programme would be seen in the right perspective by every community.

Mr Sesan Sobowale, representative of the Managing Director of Guiness, Mr Peter Ndegwa, said the company was committed to creating awareness about responsible drinking of alcohol in the society.

Sobowale added that the organisation was also committed to promoting enjoyment in drinking of alcoholic brand as part of healthy life style in Nigeria.

He said the company appreciated that alcohol was not an ordinary commodity, adding that alcohol consumed moderately and responsibly by adults who chose to drink could be part of a balanced lifestyle.

According to him, Guiness is also aware that misuse of alcohol can cause serious problems for individuals, communities and the society.

“This is why we have used a variety of programmes to promote a culture in which adults who chose to drink can do so responsibly.

“We have worked in partnership with government, individuals, NGOs and other companies to tackle alcohol misuse including excessive drinking, drinking while driving and under-age drinking.

“We have also taken measures to ensure that our products are advertised and marketed responsibly that is why we will not issue an advert without clearly stating that it is not for people under 18,’’ he said.

Sobowale said the “Drink IQ’’ was one of the training platforms that Guiness Nigeria and the world largest drink company called ‘’Diagio’’ had used as a leverage on responsible drinking agenda.

He said the programme was a training that aimed to raise the public awareness about better understanding of the drinking choices including the decision not to drink, when and how much to drink.

The Guiness boss said the efforts to reduce the misuse of alcohol were most effective when government, civil society, individuals and families as well as industry worked together.

According to him, the initiative is built around providing consumers with information, promoting rigorous company and industry standard for responsible marketing, supporting effective programmes and partnership.

“This is to promote alcohol education and to tackle misuse by advocating effective evidence based policy.

“In line with our commitment to creating awareness about responsible drinking, Guiness Nigeria will be partnering with NYSC to deliver Drink IQ training sessions, targeted at corps members and ultimately the general public.

“Our intent is to start with train the trainers programme where these trainers will in turn train other people who will be advocates in their places of primary assignments.

“Guiness will begin this training with the officials of the NYSC drawn from 36 states of the federation who will in turn facilitate these sessions in orientation camps across the country,’’ he said. (NAN)
OYS/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-HE-14

Agreement

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Electricity Generating Companies in Nigeria (GENCO’s) have expressed  frustration over the continued failure of the Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trading Company (NBET) to commit to the Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) reached between them.

NBET was incorporated on July 29, 2010 with a mandate to engage in the purchase and resale of electric power and ancillary services from independent power producers and from the successor generation companies.

NBET discharges its duties by entering into PPA with generation companies and resells power to distribution companies through the vesting contracts.

To fulfill its mandate and drive investment into Nigeria’s power sector, NBET is positioned as a credit-worthy counterparts for current and future generation projects.

NBET was capitalised to the tune of 800 million dollars by the Federal Government as at Oct 2014.

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a contract between two parties, one which generates electricity (the seller) and one which is looking to purchase electricity (the buyer).

The PPA defines all of the commercial terms for the sale of electricity between the two parties, with details on commercial operation, schedule for delivery of electricity, penalties for under delivery as well as payment terms.

A communiqué by Mr Ogbonna Onwumere, Head Research and Development, Independent Energy Watch Initiative in Abuja, stated that the GENCOS expressed their  frustration at the end of the meeting of the association of GenCos.

It said that the Nigerian electricity market had faced liquidity crisis since it was handed over to private owners.

It said that liquidity in the electricity market  as at privatisation was at about 65 per cent  but had progressively declined to less than 20 per cent.

The communique said the GenCos were currently receiving less than 20 per cent of their invoices paid by NBET.

The role of NBET is to give incentives to investors who have  liquidity issues in the market.

It said the liquidity issue was on the increase, adding that it was caused by inability of NBET to meet its contractual agreement.

It said that the GenCos should not be made to suffer for liquidity issues that was not their creation.

“The worsening market liquidity has culminated to a state of  bankruptcy for the GenCos as they lack funds to carry out their operations and even to pay their workers.

“ Some GenCos have not been able to pay salaries for upwards of three months,“ it said.

According to the document, some of the identified issues bedeviling the operation of the GenCos include poor payment of their invoices by NBET, non evacuation of stranded power occasioned by load rejection by the DisCos or congestion in the grid network.

Other challenges are lack of implementation of the PPA with NBET, domiciliation of cost of gas in dollars and the associated take or pay obligations.

It said the Gencos  had unanimously resolved to use  all available dispute resolution channels, including  litigation, to compel NBET to comply with the terms of agreement.

It further said the GenCos also agreed to  take advantage of the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005 to further pursue its case.

This according to the communiqué, will enable the Discos to bypass the wholesale electricity market and enter bilateral contracts with any willing eligible customer.

It said the generation companies expressed determination to ensure payment of all debts owned to them.

The Discos expressed their desire to sell a designated amount of the power produced directly to eligible customers. (NAN)

KC/IS/IA

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz/Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-H-69

Salary

By Muhammad Baba Busu

Lafia, Nov.4 ,2016 (NAN) Nasarawa State Government has announced several austerity measures as the effect of dwindling revenue allocation from the Federation Account bites hard.

The Commissioner for Finance, Dr Dominic Bako, made this known at a news conference in Lafia on Friday.

Bako said that civil servants and political appointees will be paid only 60 per cent of their October salary.

He said that the state government would pay the  arrears of monthly shortfall in due course.

Bako also said that the state governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, had suspended payment to contractors  and ordered that more funds should be channelled to shoring  up the amount available for payment of salaries for October.

“Governor Tanko Al-Makura has directed that accruals and disbursement of receipt from the federation account be fully disclosed to the general public in accordance with his avowed commitment to ensuring accountability and openness in the conduct of government activities.

“The total receipts from the Federation account for the month of October  was N2,396,908,361.89 and the total disbursement for the month of October stood at  N2,050,730,979.49.

“We are left with only N346, 177,372.30 representing 30 per cent as salaries to core civil servants and political appointees.

“This is a far cry from the sum of N929, 389,372. 56 required,” he said.

Bako said government had allocated N102.1 million to pay the allowances of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

“Overhead cost will gulp N348.7 million, Judiciary N155.9 million, State House of Assembly  N82.7 million, State University, Keffi,  N129 million and College of Education, Akwanga,  N108.2 million.”

The commissioner called on the workers and citizens to appreciate the efforts of the government to ameliorate the harsh economic conditions the state and the nation were passing through. (NAN)

BAB/